The weekend just passed ( 20th and 21st November 2021 ) Yoshi and I ventured out to see the Saturday morning ‘The Lickey Banker’ railtour run by Vintage Trains and hauled by GWR 4073 Class No. 7029 Clun Castle. Running from Tyseley Steam Trust to Worcester and return the trains were organised to take in the ascent of the Lickey Incline near Bromsgrove. This is the steepest sustained mainline railway incline in the UK with a gradient of 1 in 38 for a continuous distance of two miles. In years gone by trains often required the assistance of a banking locomotive at the rear of the train and indeed, the intention was that both the morning and afternoon trains on the 20th November 2021 would have the been supported by GWR Pannier Tank No. 9466. Unfortunately the tank loco was unavailable, so Clun Castle ( and later on the afternoon train; LMS Pacific 6233 Duchess of Sutherland ) tackled the bank unaided.

Later the same day, we were in Chester to see the departure of The Railway Touring Company tour ‘The Cheshireman’ hauled by LMS Stanier Class 5 No. 44871 on its return journey to London Euston.

Finally, on Sunday 21st November 2021 during a trip to Tonbridge, Kent, we witnessed rebuilt SR Merchant Navy Class 35028 Clan Line heading the outward RailAid Pullman running from London Victoria to Dover Priory. Originally allocated to Clan Line and LNER A1 60163 Tornado, the Merchant Navy was accompanied by Class 67 67024 in a livery to match the Belmond British Pullman coaches. This was a special charity rail tour run as part of RailAid with proceeds going to The Railway Children.

A fabulous weekend with great company!